Supported catalyst for olefin polymerization and preparation method for polyolefin using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a supported catalyst for olefin polymerization to which a novel transition metal compound and a co-catalyst compound are bound, and a preparation method for polyolefin using the supported catalyst. The transition metal compound bound to the catalyst of the present invention provides high activity for olefin-based monomers in heterogeneous reaction as well as in homogeneous system. Particularly, a polyolefin with higher molecular weight can be prepared by using the supported catalyst containing the transition metal compound bound to a support, rather than using the novel transition metal compound in a non-supported status, or the conventional transition metal compound in a supported or non-supported status.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a supported catalyst for olefin polymerization, and a preparation method for polyolefin using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sustainable attempts have been made in the fields of academy and industry to prepare a polyolefin with desired properties using a variety of homogenous catalysts since Prof. Kaminsky developed the homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst using a Group 4 metallocene compound activated with a methylaluminoxane co-catalyst in the late 1970's.

The conventional heterogeneous catalysts in ethylene/α-olefin copolymerization not only provide a low quantity of α-olefin incorporation but cause the α-olefin incorporation to occur primarily in the polymer chain with low molecular weight only. Contrarily, the homogenous catalysts in ethylene/α-olefin copolymerization lead to induce a high quantity of α-olefin incorporation and provide uniform α-olefin distribution.

In contrast to the heterogeneous catalysts, however, the homogenous catalysts are hard of providing a polymer with high molecular weight (for example, weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000,000).

With low molecular weight, the polymers encounter a limitation in development of their usage, such as being inapplicable to the products required to have high strength. For that reason, the conventional heterogeneous catalysts have been used in the industrial manufacture of polymers, and the usage of the homogeneous catalysts is confined to the manufacture for some grades of polymer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a supported catalyst for olefin polymerization that has high catalytic activity for heterogeneous reaction as well as homogeneous reaction and provides a polyolefin with high molecular weight.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing a polyolefin using the supported catalyst.

Technical Solution

To achieve the objects, the present invention is to provide a supported catalyst comprising a transition metal compound represented by the following formula 1 and a co-catalyst compound, where the transition metal compound and the co-catalyst are bound to a support:

In the formula 1, M is a Group 4 transition metal;

Q¹ and Q² are independently a halogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkylamido, C₆-C₂₀ arylamido, or C₁-C₂₀ alkylidene;

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; or C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group, wherein R¹ and R² can be linked to each other to form a ring; R³ and R⁴ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and at least two of R⁵ to R¹⁰ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and

R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy; or C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy, where R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹² and R¹³ can be linked to each other to form a ring.

In the transition meta compound of the formula 1, preferably, M is titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), or hafnium (Hf); Q¹ and Q² are independently methyl or chlorine; R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or methyl; and R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen.

Further, the co-catalyst compound may be at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula 6, 7, or 8. —[Al(R⁶¹)—O]_(a)—  [Formula 6]

In the formula 6, R⁶¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical; and a is an integer of 2 or above. D(R⁷¹)₃  [Formula 7]

In the formula 7, D is aluminum (Al) or boron (B); and R⁷¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical. [L-H]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻ or [L]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻  [Formula 8]

In the formula 8, L is a neutral or cationic Lewis acid; Z is a Group 13 element; and A is independently a C₆-C₂₀ aryl or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl radical having at least one hydrogen atom substituted with a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy radical, or a C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy radical.

In the co-catalyst compound, R⁶¹ in the formula 6 is methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or isobutyl. In the formula 7, D is aluminum, and R⁷¹ is methyl or isobutyl; or D is boron, and R⁷¹ is pentafluorophenyl. In the formula 8, [L-H]⁺ is a dimethylanilinium cation, [Z(A)₄]⁻ is [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, and [L]⁺ is [(C₆H₅)₃C]⁺.

The content of the co-catalyst compound is given such that the molar ratio of a metal in the co-catalyst compound with respect to one mole of a transition metal in the transition metal compound of the formula 1 is 1:1 to 1:100,000.

Further, the support is SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂O₃, CaO, ZnO, BaO, ThO₂, SiO₂—Al₂O₃, SiO₂—MgO, SiO₂—TiO₂, SiO₂—V₂O₅, SiO₂—CrO₂O₃, SiO₂—TiO₂—MgO, bauxite, zeolite, starch, or cyclodextrine.

On the other hand, the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a polyolefin that comprises polymerizing at least one olefin-based monomer in the presence of the supported catalyst.

The olefin-based monomer may be at least one selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₂₀ α-olefin, C₁-C₂₀ diolefin, C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-olefin, and C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-diolefin.

The polyolefin may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000,000 to 10,000,000.

Advantageous Effects

The novel transition metal compound supported on the catalyst of the present invention not only has high catalytic activity and good copolymerization characteristic in olefin polymerization but provides a polymer with high molecular weight, so it can be used to easily prepare a polymer of different grades in commercial manufacturing process. Moreover, the catalyst compound of the present invention can exhibit higher catalytic activity than the catalyst compound not fused with a heterocyclic thiophene ligand.

Particularly, the use of a supported catalyst on which the transition metal compound is supported results in production of a polyolefin with higher molecular weight, than using the novel transition metal compound in a non-supported status or the conventional transition metal compound in either supported or non-supported status.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a description will be given as to a supported catalyst for olefin polymerization and a preparation method for polyolefin using the same according to embodiments of the present invention.

In the course of repeated studies on the catalysts for olefin polymerization, the inventors of the present invention have found out a novel ligand in which an amido ligand is linked to an ortho-phenylene ligand to form a condensed ring, and a 5-membered cyclic pi-ligand linked to the ortho-phenylene ligand is fused with a heterocyclic thiophene ligand. Also, they have found it out that a transition metal compound comprising the ligand exhibits higher catalytic activity and provides a polymer with higher molecular weight than a transition metal compound not fused with such a heterocyclic thiophene ligand.

Particularly, the inventors have also found it out that it is possible to prepare a polyolefin with higher molecular weight when using the transition metal compound comprising the novel ligand in combination with a co-catalyst compound as supported on a support, rather than using the novel transition metal compound in a non-supported status, or the conventional transition metal compound in either supported or non-supported status, thereby completing the present invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a supported catalyst comprising a transition metal compound represented by the following formula 1 and a co-catalyst compound which are bound to a support:

In the formula 1, M is a Group 4 transition metal;

Q¹ and Q² are independently a halogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkylamido, C₆-C₂₀ arylamido, or C₁-C₂₀ alkylidene;

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; or C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group, wherein R¹ and R² can be linked to each other to form a ring; R³ and R⁴ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and at least two of R⁵ to R¹⁰ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and

R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy; or C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy, wherein R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹² and R¹³ can be linked to each other to form a ring.

In other words, the supported catalyst for olefin polymerization according to the present invention contains a composition comprising a transition metal compound of the formula 1 and a co-catalyst compound which are bound to a support. Hereinafter, the individual components contained in the supported catalyst of the present invention will be described.

First of all, the supported catalyst for olefin polymerization according to the present invention comprises a transition metal compound represented by the formula 1. The transition metal compound of the formula 1 is supported on the surface of an under-mentioned support and activated with an under-mentioned co-catalyst compound to provide catalytic activity for olefin polymerization reaction.

The transition metal compound of the formula 1 comprises a novel ligand in which an amido ligand is linked to an ortho-phenylene ligand to form a condensed ring, and a 5-membered cyclic pi-ligand linked to the ortho-phenylene ligand is fused with a heterocyclic thiophene ligand. Accordingly, the transition metal compound exhibits higher catalytic activity for both olefin polymerization and α-olefin copolymerization than the transition metal compound not fused with a heterocyclic thiophene ligand. The transition metal compound can also provide a polyolefin with a wide range of properties (particularly, high molecular weight) which are hard to attain by the use of the conventional homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts.

According to the present invention, in the compound of the formula 1, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently substituted with a substituent, including acetal, ketal, and ether groups. With such substituents, the transition metal compound can be more favored in being supported on the surface of a support.

In the compound of the formula 1, M is preferably titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), or hafnium (Hf).

Preferably, Q¹ and Q² are independently halogen or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl. More preferably, Q¹ and Q² are independently chlorine or methyl.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl. More preferably, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or methyl, with the provision that at least one of R³ and R⁴ is methyl; and R⁵ is methyl.

Preferably, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen.

The transition metal compound of the formula 1 preferably includes the above-mentioned substituents with a view to controlling the electronic and steric environments around the metal.

On the other hand, the transition metal compound of the formula 1 can be obtained from a precursor compound represented by the following formula 2:

In the formula 2, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are as defined in the formula 1.

In this regard, the precursor compound of the formula 2 may be prepared by a method comprising: (a) reacting a tetrahydroquinoline derivative represented by the following formula 3 with alkyl lithium and adding carbon dioxide to prepare a compound represented by the following formula 4; and (b) reacting the compound of the formula 4 with alkyl lithium, adding a compound represented by the following formula 5, and then treating with an acid:

In the formulas 3, 4, and 5, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are as defined in the formula 1.

In the formulas 3, 4, and 5, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl. More preferably, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or methyl, with the provision that at least one of R³ and R⁴ is methyl; and R⁵ is methyl. Preferably, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen. In this manner, the precursor compound is advantageous in securing easy accessibility and reactivity of a starting material and controlling the electronic and steric environments for the desired transition metal compound of the formula 1.

The step (a) involves reacting a tetrahydroquinoline derivative of the formula 3 with alkyl lithium and then adding carbon dioxide to form a compound of the formula 4, which process can be achieved by the methods disclosed in the known documents (Tetrahedron Lett. 1985, 26, 5935; Tetrahedron 1986, 42, 2571; and J. Chem. SC. Perkin Trans. 1989, 16).

In the step (b), the compound of the formula 4 is reacted with alkyl lithium to activate deprotonation and produce an ortho-lithium compound, which is then reacted with a compound of the formula 5 and treated with an acid to obtain a precursor for transition metal compound of the formula 2.

The method of producing an ortho-lithium compound by reaction between the compound of the formula 4 and alkyl lithium can be understood from the known documents (Organometallics 2007, 27,6685; and Korean Patent Registration No. 2008-0065868). In the present invention, the ortho-lithium compound is reacted with a compound of the formula 5 and treated with an acid to produce a precursor for transition metal compound of the formula 2.

The compound of the formula 5 can be prepared by a variety of known methods. For example, the following Scheme 1 can be used to prepare the precursor for the transition metal compound of the present invention with ease in a one-step process, which is economically beneficial by using inexpensive starting materials (J. Organomet. Chem., 2005, 690,4213).

On the other hand, a variety of known methods can be employed to synthesize the transition metal compound of the formula 1 from the precursor for transition metal compound of the formula 2 obtained by the above-stated preparation method. According to one embodiment of the present invention, 2 equivalents of alkyl lithium is added to the precursor for transition metal compound of the formula 2 to induce deprotonation for producing a dilithium compound of cyclopentadienyl anion and amide anion, and (Q¹)(Q²)MCl₂ is then added to the dilithium compound to eliminate 2 equivalents of LiCl, thereby preparing the transition metal compound of the formula 1.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the compound of the formula 2 is reacted with M(NMe₂)₄ to eliminate 2 equivalents of HNME₂ and produce a transition metal compound of the formula 1, where both Q¹ and Q² are NMe₂. The transition metal compound is then reacted with Me₃SiCl or Me₂SiCl₂ to replace the NMe₂ ligand with a chlorine ligand.

On the other hand, the supported catalyst for olefin polymerization according to the present invention further comprises a co-catalyst compound. The co-catalyst compound in combination with the transition metal compound of the formula 1 is fixed on a support and used to activate the transition metal compound. Thus, any kind of co-catalyst compound can be used without limitation in its construction as long as it can activate the transition metal compound without deteriorating the catalytic activity of the supported catalyst of the present invention.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the co-catalyst compound is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula 6, 7, or 8. —[Al(R⁶¹)—O]_(a)—  [Formula 6]

In the formula 6, R⁶¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical; and a is an integer of 2 or above. D(R⁷¹)₃  [Formula 7]

In the formula 7, D is aluminum (Al) or boron (B); and R⁷¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical. [L-H]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻ or [L]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻  [Formula 8]

In the formula 8, L is a neutral or cationic Lewis acid; Z is a Group 13 element; and A is independently a C₆-C₂₀ aryl or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl radical having at least one hydrogen atom substituted with a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy radical, or a C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy radical.

In this regard, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 6 is not specifically limited in its construction, provided that it is alkylaluminoxane, and may be preferably methylaluminoxane, ethylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, decylaluminoxane, etc.

Further, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 7 may be trialkylaluminum (e.g., trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, tributylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, trioctylaluminum, tridecylaluminum, etc.); dialkylaluminum alkoxide (e.g., dimethylaluminum methoxide, diethylaluminum methoxide, dibutylaluminum methoxide, etc.); dialkylaluminum halide (e.g., dimethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, dibutylaluminum chloride, etc.); alkylaluminum dialkoxide (e.g., methylaluminum dimethoxide, ethylaluminum dimethoxide, butylaluminum dimethoxide, etc.); alkylaluminum dihalide (e.g., methylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, etc.); trialkyl boron (e.g., trimethyl boron, triethyl boron, triisobutyl boron, tripropyl boron, tributyl boron, etc.); or tris-pentafluorophenyl boron.

Further, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 8 may be trimethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(sec-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium n-butyl tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium benzyl tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(4-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenypborate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(4-(t-triisopropylsilyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium pentafluorophenoxy tris(pentafluorphenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-2,4,6-trimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylammonium tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, dimethyl(t-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-2,4,6-trimethylanilinium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, and so forth.

The co-catalyst compound of the formula 8 may also be dialkylammonium (e.g., di-(i-propyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dicyclohexylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, etc.); trialkyiphosphonium (e.g., triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(o-tolylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, etc.); dialkyloxonium (e.g., diphenyloxonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, di(o-tolyl)oxonium tetrakis(pentafluororphenyl)borate, di(2,6-dimethylphenyloxonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, etc.); dialkylsulfonium (e.g., diphenylsulfonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, di(o-tolyl)sulfonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)sulfonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, etc.); or carbonium salts (e.g., tropylium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylmethylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, benzene(diazonium)tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, etc.).

According to the present invention, in order for the co-catalyst compound to exhibit the enhanced effect of activation, the conditions are preferably given as follows: in the formula 6, R⁶¹ is methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or isobutyl; in the formula 7, D is aluminum (Al), and R⁷¹ is methyl or isobutyl; or D is boron (B), and R⁷¹ is pentafluorophenyl; and in the formula 8, [L-H]⁺ is a dimethylanilinium cation, [Z(A)₄]⁻ is [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, and [L]⁺ is [(C₆H₅)₃C]⁺.

The amount of the supported co-catalyst compound can be determined in consideration of the amount of the supported transition metal compound of the formula 1 and the required amount of the co-catalyst for sufficient activation of the transition metal compound.

As for the content of the co-catalyst compound, the molar ratio of a metal in the co-catalyst compound with respect to one mole of a transition metal in the transition metal compound of the formula 1 is 1:1 to 1:100,000, preferably 1:1 to 1:10,000, more preferably 1:1 to 1:5,000.

More specifically, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 6 may be supported at a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:100,000, preferably 1:5 to 1:50,000, more preferably 1:10 to 1:20,000 with respect to the transition metal compound of the formula 1.

Further, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 7, where D is boron (B), may be used at a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:100, preferably 1:1 to 1:10, more preferably 1:1 to 1:3, with respect to the transition metal compound of formula 1. Although dependent upon the amount of water in the polymerization system, the co-catalyst compound of the formula 7, where D is aluminum (Al), may be used at a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:1,000, preferably 1:1 to 1:500, more preferably 1:1 to 1:100, with respect to the transition metal compound of the formula 1.

Further, the co-catalyst of the formula 8 may be used at a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:100, preferably 1:1 to 1:10, more preferably 1:1 to 1:4 with respect to the transition metal compound of the formula 1.

On the other hand, the supported catalyst for olefin polymerization according to the present invention may comprise a support on which the transition metal compound of the formula 1 and the co-catalyst compound are supported.

The support as used herein may be any kind of inorganic or organic support used in the preparation of a catalyst in the related art of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support may be SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂O₃, CaO, ZnO, BaO, ThO₂, SiO₂—Al₂O₃, SiO₂—MgO, SiO₂—TiO₂, SiO₂—V₂O₅, SiO₂—CrO₂O₃, SiO₂—TiO₂—MgO, bauxite, zeolite, starch, cyclodextrine, or synthetic polymer.

Preferably, the support includes hydroxyl groups on its surface and may be at least one support selected from the group consisting of silica, silica-alumina, and silica-magnesia. When using a support containing hydroxyl groups on its surface, the under-mentioned transition metal compound and the co-catalyst compound form chemical bonds to the surface of the support. This may result in almost no release of the catalyst from the surface of the support during the olefin polymerization process and thus advantageously minimize particulate fouling deposits caused by coagulation of polymer particles onto the walls of the reactor in carrying out slurry or gas polymerization to prepare a polyolefin.

The supporting method for the transition metal compound and the co-catalyst compound on a support may include: a method of directly supporting the transition metal compound on a dehydrated support; a method of pre-treating the support with the co-catalyst compound and then adding the transition metal compound; a method of supporting the transition metal compound on a support and then adding the co-catalyst for after-treatment of the support; or a method of reacting the transition metal compound with the co-catalyst compound and then adding a support.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the solvent as used in the supporting method is, for example, aliphatic hydrocarbon-based solvents (e.g., pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, etc.); aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents (e.g., benzene, monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, toluene, etc.); halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon-based solvents (e.g., dichloromethane, trichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, etc.); or mixtures thereof.

In terms of the efficiency of the process for supporting the transition metal compound and the co-catalyst compound on a support, the supporting process may be preferably carried out at a temperature of −70 to 200° C., preferably −50 to 150° C., more preferably 0 to 100° C.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a polyolefin that comprises polymerizing at least one olefin-based monomer in the presence of the afore-mentioned supported catalyst.

In this regard, the olefin-based monomer is not specifically limited and may include any kind of olefin monomers generally used in the related art of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the olefin-based monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₂₀ α-olefin, C₁-C₂₀ diolefin, C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-olefin, C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-diolefin, and substituted or unsubstituted styrene.

Preferably, the olefin-based monomer may be C₂-C₂₀ α-olefin, including ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, or 1-hexene; C₁-C₂₀ diolefin, including 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-pentadiene, or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene; C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-olefin or cyclodiolefin, including cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, norbornene, or methyl-2-norbornene; substituted styrene having a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, amine, silyl, or haloalkyl group linked to styrene or phenyl ring of styrene; or mixtures thereof.

The polymerization step may be carried out by way of solution, gas, bulk, or suspension polymerization.

In the polymerization step conducted in the solution or slurry phase, the solvent or the olefin-based monomer itself can be used as a medium.

The solvent as used in the polymerization step may be aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents (e.g., butane, isobutane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, etc.); aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents (e.g., benzene, monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, etc.); halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents (e.g., dichloromethane, trichloromethane, chloroethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, etc.); or mixtures thereof.

In the polymerization step, the added amount of the supported catalyst is not specifically limited and may be determined within a range allowing sufficient polymerization of the olefin-based monomer depending on whether the process is carried out by way of slurry, solution, gas, or bulk polymerization.

According to the present invention, the added amount of the supported catalyst is 10⁻⁸ to 1 mol/L, preferably 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹ mol/L, more preferably 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻² mol/L, based on the concentration of the central metal (M) of the transition metal compound per unit volume (L) of the monomer.

Further, the polymerization step may be carried out by way of the batch type, semi-continuous type, or continuous type reaction.

The temperature and pressure conditions for the polymerization step are not specifically limited and may be determined in consideration of the efficiency of the polymerization reaction depending on the types of the reaction and the reactor used.

According to the present invention, the polymerization step may be carried out at a temperature of −50 to 500° C., preferably 0 to 400° C., more preferably 0 to 300° C. Further, the polymerization step may be carried out under the pressure of 1 to 3,000 atm, preferably 1 to 1,000 atm, more preferably 1 to 500 atm.

The preparation method for polyolefin according to the present invention can provide a polyolefin with higher molecular weight by using the afore-mentioned supported catalyst rather than using the novel transition metal compound in non-supported status, or the conventional transition metal compound in either supported or non-supported status.

In other words, the polyolefin obtained by the preparation method may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000,000 or greater, preferably 1,000,000 to 10,000,000, more preferably 1,000,000 to 8,000,000, most preferably 1,000,000 to 5,000,000.

Further, the polyolefin from the preparation method may have a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of 2.0 to 4.0, preferably 2.5 to 3.5, more preferably 2.7 to 3.0.

On the other hand, the preparation method for polyolefin according to the present invention may further comprise, in addition to the afore-mentioned steps, a step known to those skilled in the art before or after the afore-mentioned steps, which are not given to limit the preparation method of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given as to the present invention in accordance with the preferred embodiments, which are given by way of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The following synthesis procedures (i) and (ii) for the precursor and the transition metal compound were performed in the atmosphere of inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon, according to the following Schemes 2 and 3, using the standard Schlenk and glove box techniques.

The individual compounds in the Scheme 2 come in different substituents. The substituents are presented in the table given below the corresponding compound (for example, the compound D-2 denotes a compound having a hydrogen atom for R^(a) and a methyl group for R^(b) and R^(c).).

In the Scheme 2, the compound C (C-1, C-2, or C-3) was synthesized by a known method (J. Organomet. Chem., 2005, 690, 4213).

(i) Synthesis of Precursor Example i-1 Synthesis of Precursor D-1

A Schlenk flask containing 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (1.00 g, 7.51 mmol) and diethyl ether (16 ml) was cooled down in a cold bath at −78° C. and stirred while n-butyl lithium (3.0 mL, 7.5 mmol, 2.5 M hexane solution) was slowly added under the nitrogen atmosphere. After one-hour agitation at −78° C., the flask was gradually warmed up to the room temperature. A light yellowish solid precipitated, and the butane gas was removed through a bubbler. The flask was cooled down back to −78° C. and supplied with carbon dioxide. Upon injection of carbon dioxide, the slurry-type solution turned to a clear homogenous solution. After one-hour agitation at −78° C., the flask was gradually warmed up −20° C. while the extra carbon dioxide was removed through the bubbler to remain a white solid as a precipitate.

Tetrahydrofuran (0.60 g, 8.3 mmol) and t-butyl lithium (4.9 mL, 8.3 mmol, 1.7 M pentane solution) were sequentially added at −20° C. in the nitrogen atmosphere, and the flask was agitated for about 2 hours. Subsequently, a tetrahydrofuran solution (19 mL) containing lithium chloride and the compound C-1 (1.06 g, 6.38 mmol) was added in the nitrogen atmosphere. The flask was agitated at −20° C. for one hour and then gradually warmed up to the room temperature. After one-hour agitation at the room temperature, water (15 mL) was added to terminate the reaction. The solution was moved to a separatory funnel to extract the organic phase. The extracted organic phase was put in a separatory funnel, and then hydrochloric acid (2 N, 40 mL) was added. After shaking up the solution for about 2 minutes, an aqueous solution of sodium hydrocarbonate (60 mL) was slowly added to neutralize the solution. The organic phase was separated and removed of water with anhydrous magnesium sulfate to eliminate the solvent and yield a sticky product. The product thus obtained was purified by the silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of hexane and ethylacetate (v/v, 50:1) to yield 77.2 mg of the desired compound (43% yield).

In the ¹H NMR spectrum of the final product, there was observed a set of two signals at ratio of 1:1, resulting from the difficulty of rotating about the carbon-carbon bond (marked as a thick line in the Scheme 2) between phenylene and cyclopentadiene. In the following ¹³C NMR spectrum, the values in parenthesis are chemical shift values split due to the difficulty of rotation.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.22 and 7.17 (br d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (s, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (br t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 3.84 and 3.80 (s, 1H, NH), 3.09 and 2.98 (q, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, CHMe), 2.90-2.75 (br, 2H, CH₂), 2.65-2.55 (br, 2H, CH₂), 1.87 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.70-1.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.16 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C NMR (C₆D₆): 151.64 (151.60), 147.74 (147.61), 146.68, 143.06, 132.60, 132.30, 129.85, 125.02, 121.85, 121.72, 119.74, 116.87, 45.86, 42.54, 28.39, 22.89, 16.32, 14.21 ppm.

Example i-2 Synthesis of Precursor D-2

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example i-1, excepting that the compound C-2 was used rather than the compound C-1 to synthesize the precursor compound D-2. The yield was 53%.

In the ¹H NMR spectrum of the final product, there was observed a set of two signals at ratio of 1:1, resulting from the difficulty of rotating about the carbon-carbon bond (marked as a thick line in the Scheme 2) between phenylene and cyclopentadiene.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.23 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (br t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.00 and 3.93 (s, 1H, NH), 3.05 (br q, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, CHMe), 3.00-2.80 (br, 2H, CH₂), 2.70-2.50 (br, 2H, CH₂), 2.16 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.04 (br s, 3H, CH₃), 1.91 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.75-1.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.21 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C NMR (C₆D₆): 151.60 (151.43), 145.56 (145.36), 143.08, 141.43, 132.90, 132.68, 132.43, 129.70, 121.63, 120.01, 116.77, 46.13, 42.58, 28.42, 22.97, 15.06, 14.19, 14.08, 12.70 ppm.

Example i-3 Synthesis of Precursor D-3

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example i-1, excepting that tetrahydroquinaldine was used rather than 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline to synthesize the precursor compound D-3. The yield was 63%.

In the ¹H NMR spectrum of the final product, a certain signal was split into a set of four signals at ratio of 1:1:1:1, resulting from the difficulty of rotating about the carbon-carbon bond (marked as a thick line in the Scheme 2) between phenylene and cyclopentadiene and isomerism pertaining to the existence of two chiral centers.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.33, 7.29, 7.22, and 7.17 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (s, 2H), 6.80-6.70 (m, 1H), 3.93 and 3.86 (s, 1H, NH), 3.20-2.90 (m, 2H, NCHMe, CHMe), 2.90-2.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.91, 1.89, and 1.86 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.67-1.50 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.50-1.33 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.18, 1.16, and 1.14 (s, 3H, CH₃), 0.86, 0.85, and 0.80 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C NMR (C₆D₆): 151.67, 147.68 (147.56, 147.38), 147.06 (146.83, 146.28, 146.10), 143.01 (142.88), 132.99 (132.59), 132.36 (131.92), 129.69, 125.26 (125.08, 124.92, 124.83), 122.03, 121.69 (121.60, 121.28), 119.74 (119.68, 119.46), 117.13 (117.07, 116.79, 116.72), 47.90 (47.73), 46.04 (45.85), 31.00 (30.92, 30.50), 28.00 (27.83, 27.64), 23.25 (23.00), 16.38 (16.30), 14.63 (14.52, 14.18) ppm.

Example i-4 Synthesis of Precursor D-4

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example i-1, excepting that the compound C-2 and tetrahydroquinaldine were used rather than the compound C-1 and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline to synthesize the precursor compound D-4. The yield was 63%.

In the ¹H NMR spectrum of the final product, a certain signal was split into a set of four signals at ratio of 1:1:1:1, resulting from the difficulty of rotating about the carbon-carbon bond (marked as a thick line in the Scheme 2) between phenylene and cyclopentadiene and isomerism pertaining to the existence of two chiral centers.

1H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.32, 7.30, 7.22, and 7.19 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.85-6.65 (m, 1H), 4.10-3.90 (s, 1H, NH), 3.30-2.85 (m, 2H, NCHMe, CHMe), 2.85-2.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.15 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.02 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.94, 1.92, and 1.91 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.65-1.50 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.50-1.33 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.22, 1.21, 1.20, and 1.19 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.10-0.75 (m, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C NMR (C₆D₆): 151.67 (151.57), 145.58 (145.33, 145.20), 143.10 (143.00, 142.89), 141.62 (141.12), 134.08 (133.04), 132.84 (132.70, 136.60), 132.50 (132.08), 129.54, 121.52 (121.16), 119.96 (119.71), 117.04 (116.71), 47.90 (47.78), 46.29 (46.10), 31.05 (30.53), 28.02 (28.67), 23.37 (23.07), 15.22 (15.04), 14.87 (14.02, 14.21), 12.72 (12.67) ppm.

Example i-5 Synthesis of Precursor D-5

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example i-1, excepting that the compound C-3 and tetrahydroquinaldine were used rather than the compound C-1 and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline to synthesize the precursor compound D-5. The yield was 48%.

In the ¹H NMR spectrum of the final product, a certain signal was split into a set of four signals at ratio of 1:1:1:1, resulting from the difficulty of rotating about the carbon-carbon bond (marked as a thick line in the Scheme 2) between phenylene and cyclopentadiene and isomerism pertaining to the existence of two chiral centers.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.32, 7.29, 7.22 and 7.18 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.84-6.68 (m, 1H), 6.60 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.00-3.92 (s, 1H, NH), 3.30-2.90 (m, 2H, NCHMe, CHMe), 2.90-2.55 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.27 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.94, 1.91 and 1.89 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.65-1.54 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.54-1.38 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.23, 1.22, and 1.20 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.00-0.75 (m, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C NMR (C₆D₆): 151.51, 145.80, 145.64, 145.45, 144.40, 144.22, 143.76, 143.03, 142.91, 139.78, 139.69, 139.52, 133.12, 132.74, 132.52, 132.11, 129.59, 121.52, 121.19, 120.75, 120.47, 119.87, 119.69, 116.99, 116.76, 47.90, 47.77, 46.43, 46.23, 32.55, 30.98, 30.51, 27.95, 27.67, 23.67, 23.31, 23.06, 16.52, 15.01, 14.44, 14.05 ppm.

(ii) Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound Example ii-1 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-1

In a dry box, the compound D-1 (0.10 g, 0.36 mmol) synthesized in Example i-1 and dimethyl ether were put into a round-bottomed flask and cooled down to −30° C. N-butyl lithium (2.5 M hexane solution, 0.2 g, 0.71 mmol) was gradually added to the flask under agitation to activate the reaction at −30° C. for 2 hours. Warmed up to the room temperature, the flask was agitated for more 3 hours for the reaction. After cooled down back to −30° C., to the flask were added methyl lithium (1.6 M diethyl ether solution, 0.33 g, 0.71 mmol) and then TiCl₄.DME (DME: dimethoxyethane, 0.10 g, 0.36 mmol). The flask, while warmed up to the room temperature, was agitated for 3 hours and then removed of the solvent using a vacuum line. Pentane was used to extract the compound. The removal of the solvent produced 0.085 g of the final compound as a brownish powder (60% yield).

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.09 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (s, 2H), 4.55 (dt, J=14, 5.2 Hz, 1H, NCH₂), 4.38 (dt, J=14, 5.2 Hz, 1H, NCH₂), 2.50-2.30 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.20 (s, 3H), 1.68 (s, 3H), 1.68 (quintet, J=5.2 Hz, CH₂), 0.72 (s, 3H, TiMe), 0.38 (s, 3H, TiMe) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 161.46, 142.43, 140.10, 133.03, 130.41, 129.78, 127.57, 127.34, 121.37, 120.54, 120.51, 120.34, 112.52, 58.50, 53.73, 49.11, 27.59, 23.27, 13.19, 13.14 ppm.

Example ii-2 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-2

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example ii-1, excepting that the compound D-2 was used rather than the compound D-1 to synthesize the transition metal compound E-2. The yield was 53%.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.10 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (dt, J=14, 5.2 Hz, 1H, NCH₂), 4.42 (dt, J=14, 5.2 Hz, 1H, NCH₂), 2.50-2.38 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 1.71 (s, 3H), 1.67 (quintet, J=5.2 Hz, CH₂), 0.72 (s, 3H, TiMe), 0.38 (s, 3H, TiMe) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 161.58, 141.36, 138.41, 137.20, 132.96, 129.70, 127.53, 127.39, 126.87, 121.48, 120.37, 120.30, 113.23, 56.50, 53.13, 49.03, 27.64, 23.34, 14.21, 13.40, 12.99, 12.94 ppm. Anal. Calc. (C₂₂H₂₇NSTi): C, 68.56; H, 7.06; N, 3.63. Found: C, 68.35; H, 7.37; N, 3.34%.

Example ii-3 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-3

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example ii-1, excepting that the compound D-3 was used rather than the compound D-1 to synthesize the transition metal compound E-3. The yield was 51%. The final product was identified as a 1:1 mixture (the direction of the thiophene cyclic radical to the direction of the methyl radical on tetrahydroquinoline).

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.11 and 7.08 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.96 and 6.95 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 and 6.81 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.77 and 6.76 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.74 and 6.73 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.42 (m, 1H, NCH), 2.75-2.60 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.45-2.25 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.24 and 2.18 (s, 3H), 1.73 and 1.63 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.17 and 1.15 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 3H), 0.76 and 0.70 (s, 3H, TiMe), 0.42 and 0.32 (s, 3H, TiMe) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 159.58, 159.28, 141.88, 141.00, 139.63, 138.98, 134.45, 130.85, 130.50, 129.59, 129.50, 129.47, 127.23, 127.20, 127.17, 127.11, 120.77, 120.70, 120.40, 120.00, 119.96, 119.91, 118.76, 118.57, 113.90, 110.48, 59.61, 56.42, 55.75, 51.96, 50.11, 49.98, 27.41, 27.11, 21.89, 20.09, 19.67, 12.94, 12.91, 12.65 ppm.

Example ii-4 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-4

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example ii-1, excepting that the compound D-4 was used rather than the compound D-1 to synthesize the transition metal compound E-4. The yield was 57%. The final product was identified as a 1:1 mixture (the direction of the thiophene cyclic radical to the direction of the methyl radical on tetrahydroquinoline).

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.12 and 7.10 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.96 and 6.94 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 and 6.81 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.45 (m, 1H, NCH), 2.75-2.60 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.45-2.20 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.34 and 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.75 and 1.66 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.50 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.20 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.76 and 0.72 (s, 3H, TiMe), 0.44 and 0.35 (s, 3H, TiMe) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 160.13, 159.86, 141.33, 140.46, 138.39, 137.67, 136.74, 134.83, 131.48, 129.90, 129.78, 127.69, 127.65, 127.60, 127.45, 126.87, 126.81, 121.34, 121.23, 120.21, 120.15, 119.15, 118.93, 114.77, 111.60, 57.54, 55.55, 55.23, 51.73, 50.43, 50.36, 27.83, 27.67, 22.37, 22.31, 20.53, 20.26, 14.29, 13.51, 13.42, 13.06, 12.80 ppm.

Example ii-5 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-5

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example ii-1, excepting that the compound D-5 was used rather than the compound D-1 to synthesize the transition metal compound E-5. The yield was 57%. The final product was identified as a 1:1 mixture (the direction of the thiophene cyclic radical to the direction of the methyl radical on tetrahydroquinoline).

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.12 and 7.09 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.96 and 6.94 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 and 6.80 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.47 and 6.46 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.45 and 6.44 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.44 (m, 1H, NCH), 2.76-2.60 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.44-2.18 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.28 and 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 1.74 and 1.65 (s, 3H), 1.88-1.48 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.20 and 1.18 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.77 and 0.71 (s, 3H, TiMe), 0.49 and 0.40 (s, 3H, TiMe) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 159.83, 159.52, 145.93, 144.90, 140.78, 139.93, 139.21, 138.86, 135.26, 131.56, 129.69, 129.57, 127.50, 127.46, 127.38, 127.24, 121.29, 121.16, 120.05, 119.96, 118.90, 118.74, 117.99, 117.74, 113.87, 110.38, 57.91, 55.31, 54.87, 51.68, 50.27, 50.12, 34.77, 27.58, 27.27, 23.10, 22.05, 20.31, 19.90, 16.66, 14.70, 13.11, 12.98, 12.68 ppm.

Example ii-6 Synthesis of Transition Metal Compound E-6

The transition metal compound E-6 was synthesized according to the following Scheme 3.

Methyl lithium (1.63 g, 3.55 mmol, 1.6 M diethyl ether solution) was added dropwise to a diethyl ether solution (10 mL) containing the compound D-4 (0.58 g, 1.79 mmol). The solution was agitated overnight at the room temperature and cooled down to −30° C. Then, Ti(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ (0.37 g, 1.79 mmol) was added at once. After 3-hour agitation, the solution was removed of all the solvent with a vacuum pump. The solid thus obtained was dissolved in toluene (8 mL), and Me₂SiCl₂ (1.16 g, 8.96 mmol) was added to the solution. The solution was agitated at 80° C. for 3 days and removed of the solvent with a vacuum pump to obtain a reddish solid compound (0.59 g, 75% yield). The ¹H NMR spectrum showed the existence of two stereo-structural compounds at ratio of 2:1.

¹H NMR (C₆D₆): δ 7.10 (t, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 2H), 5.27 and 5.22 (m, 1H, NCH), 2.54-2.38 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.20-2.08 (m, 1H, CH₂), 2.36 and 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.05 and 2.03 (s, 3H), 1.94 and 1.93 (s, 3H), 1.89 and 1.84 (s, 3H), 1.72-1.58 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.36-1.28 (m, 2H, CH₂), 1.17 and 1.14 (d, J=6.4, 3H, CH₃) ppm.

¹³C{¹H} NMR (C₆D₆): 162.78, 147.91, 142.45, 142.03, 136.91, 131.12, 130.70, 130.10, 128.90, 127.17, 123.39, 121.33, 119.87, 54.18, 26.48, 21.74, 17.28, 14.46, 14.28, 13.80, 13.27 ppm.

(iii) Preparation of Supported Catalyst Example iii-1

In a glove box, the transition metal compound E-4 of Example ii-4 (0.03 g, 75 vitriol) was put into a Schlenk flask. After the flask was taken out of the glove box, about 5.1 ml of methylaluminoxane (a solution containing 10 wt. % of methylaluminoxane in toluene, 7.5 mmol of Al, supplied by Albemarle) was slowly added at 10° C. The flask was agitated at 10° C. for 10 minutes and at 25° C. for 60 more minutes.

Apart from that, silica (XPO-2412, 0.5 g, supplied by Grace) was put into another Schlenk flask (100 ml) in the glove box, and a solution containing the transition metal compound and the methylaluminoxane was slowly added to the flask. Subsequently, the flask was agitated at 0° C. for about one hour, at 65° C. for about one more hour, and then at 25° C. for about 24 more hours.

The resultant solution thus obtained was dried out under vacuum to yield 0.85 g of a free flowing supported catalyst.

Example iii-2

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example iii-1, excepting that the transition metal compound E-5 (0.029 g, 75 μmol) of Example ii-5 was used, to yield a supported catalyst.

Comparative Example iii-1

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example iii-1, excepting that bisindenylzirconium dichloride (0.029 g, 75 μmol) was used rather than the transition metal compound E-4, to yield a supported catalyst.

(iv) Preparation of Polyolefin

The individual polymerization reaction was carried out in an airtight autoclave using required amounts of a dehydrated solvent for polymerization, a transition metal compound, a co-catalyst compound, and monomers for copolymerization.

After completion of the polymerization, the polymer product was measured in regard to the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution by the GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) (instrument: PL-GPC220 supplied by Agilent), and the melting point by the DSC (Differential Scanning calorimetry) (instrument: Q200 supplied by TA Instruments). The measured properties of the individual polymers are presented in the following Table 1.

Example iv-1

0.1 g of the supported catalyst of Example iii-1 and 20 ml of n-hexane were put into a flask, and ethylene was added at a rate of 0.05 g/min for 10 minutes to the flask under agitation to induce pre-polymerization.

Apart from that, an autoclave (capacity: 2 L, stainless steel) was purged with nitrogen and filled with 1 L of n-hexane as a solvent for polymerization. Then, 2 mmol of triisobutyl aluminum (supplied by Aldrich) and the pre-polymerized supported catalyst were added in sequence. The autoclave was warmed up to 70° C., supplied with ethylene gas, and maintained at ethylene partial pressure of 7 bar to allow a polymerization reaction for one hour.

After completion of the polymerization reaction, the resultant solution was cooled down to the room temperature and removed of the extra ethylene gas. Subsequently, the polyethylene powder dispersed in the solvent was filtered out and dried out in a vacuum oven at 80° C. for at least 15 hours to yield a polyethylene (141 g).

Example iv-2

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example iv-1, excepting that the supported catalyst was used without pre-polymerization, to yield a polyethylene (130 g).

Example iv-3

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example iv-1, excepting that the supported catalyst of Example iii-2 was used, to yield a polyethylene (112 g).

Comparative Example iv-1

The procedures were performed in the same manner as described in Example iv-1, excepting that the supported catalyst of Comparative Example iii-1 was used, to yield a polyethylene (101 g).

Comparative Example iv-2 Non-Supported Catalyst

An autoclave (capacity: 2 L, stainless steel) was purged with nitrogen and filled with 1 L of n-hexane as a solvent for polymerization. Then, 10 ml of methylaluminoxane (a solution containing 10 wt. % of methylaluminoxane in toluene, 7.5 mmol of Al, supplied by Albemarle) was added.

Subsequently, a solution of the transition metal compound E-4 of Example ii-4 (0.031 g, 75 μmol) in toluene was added to the autoclave, which was then warmed up to 70° C.

When the temperature of the autoclave reached 70° C., ethylene (partial pressure: 7 bar) was added to allow polymerization for 30 minutes.

After completion of the polymerization reaction, the resultant solution was cooled down to the room temperature and removed of the extra ethylene gas. Subsequently, the polyethylene powder dispersed in the solvent was filtered out and dried out in a vacuum oven at 80° C. for at least 15 hours to yield a polyethylene (110 g).

Comparative Example iv-3 Non-Supported Catalyst

An autoclave (capacity: 2 L, stainless steel) was purged with nitrogen and filled with 1 L of n-hexane as a solvent for polymerization. Then, 10 ml of methylaluminoxane (a solution containing 10 wt. % of methylaluminoxane in toluene, 7.5 mmol of Al, supplied by Albemarle) was added.

Subsequently, a solution of bisindenylzirconium dichloride (0.029 g, 75 μmol) in toluene was added to the autoclave, which was then warmed up to 70° C.

When the temperature of the autoclave reached 70° C., ethylene (partial pressure: 7 bar) was added to allow polymerization for 30 minutes.

After completion of the polymerization reaction, the resultant solution was cooled down to the room temperature and removed of the extra ethylene gas. Subsequently, the polyethylene powder dispersed in the solvent was filtered out and dried out in a vacuum oven at 80° C. for at least 15 hours to yield a polyethylene (95 g).

TABLE 1 Molecular Molecular weight Catalytic weight distribution Catalyst activity (Mw) (Mw/Mn) Example iv-1 Example iii-1 1.4 2,822,000 2.85 (Compound E-4) Example iv-2 Example iii-1 1.3 3,207,000 2.96 (Compound E-4) Example iv-3 Example iii-2 1.1 1,013,000 2.91 (Compound E-5) Comparative Comparative 1.0 290,000 2.50 Example iv-1 Example iii-1 ([Ind]₂ZrCl₂) Comparative Non-supported 29.3 883,000 2.18 Example iv-2 (Compound E-4) Comparative Non-supported 25.3 284,000 2.84 Example iv-3 ([Ind]₂ZrCl₂) (Note: The unit of catalytic activity is (a) (weight (kg) of PE)/weight (g) of catalyst) per unit time for supported catalysts (e.g., Examples iv-1, iv-2, and iv-3, and Comparative Example iv-1), or (b) (weight (kg) of PE)/(moles (mmol) of Metal) per unit time for non-supported catalysts (e.g., Comparative Examples iv-2 and iv-3).)

As can be seen from Table 1, the supported catalysts in which the transition metal compound of the present invention were fixed on a support as in Examples iv-1, iv-2, and iv-3 were capable of providing a polymer with a considerable high molecular weight, relative to the non-supported catalysts of Comparative Example iv-2.

In contrast, the use of a different transition metal compound as in Comparative Examples iv-1 and iv-3 resulted in production of a polymer having a low molecular weight irrespective of whether the transition metal compound was supported or not.

Further, as can be seen from Examples iv-1 and iv-2, the supported catalysts of the present invention were capable of providing a polymer with high molecular weight irrespective of whether a pre-polymerization was conducted prior to the olefin polymerization reaction. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A supported catalyst comprising a transition metal compound represented by the following formula 1 and a co-catalyst compound, wherein the transition metal compound and the co-catalyst compound are bound to a support:

wherein M is a Group 4 transition metal; Q¹ and Q² are independently a halogen, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl, C₂-C₂₀ alkynyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₁-C₂₀ alkylamido, C₆-C₂₀ arylamido, or C₁-C₂₀ alkylidene; R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; or C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group, wherein R¹ and R² can be linked to each other to form a ring; R³ and R⁴ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and at least two of R⁵ to R¹⁰ can be linked to each other to form a ring; and R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₂-C₂₀ alkenyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkyl C₆-C₂₀ aryl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₆-C₂₀ aryl C₁-C₂₀ alkyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ silyl with or without an acetal, ketal, or ether group; C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy; or C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy, wherein R¹¹ and R¹², or R¹² and R¹³ can be linked to each other to form a ring.
 2. The supported catalyst for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 1, wherein M is titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), or hafnium (Hf); Q¹ and Q² are independently methyl or chlorine; R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently hydrogen or methyl; and R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ are independently hydrogen.
 3. The supported catalyst for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of R³ and R⁴ is methyl; and R⁵ is methyl.
 4. The supported catalyst for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 1, wherein the co-catalyst compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula 6, 7, or 8: [Al(R⁶¹)—O]_(a)—  [Formula 6] wherein R⁶¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical; and a is an integer of 2 or above, D(R⁷¹)₃  [Formula 7] wherein D is aluminum (Al) or boron (B); and R⁷¹ is independently a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, or a halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, [L-H]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻ or [L]⁺[Z(A)₄]⁻  [Formula 8] wherein L is a neutral or cationic Lewis acid; Z is a Group 13 element; and A is independently a C₆-C₂₀ aryl or C₁-C₂₀ alkyl radical having at least one hydrogen atom substituted with a halogen radical, a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl radical, a C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy radical, or a C₆-C₂₀ aryloxy radical.
 5. The supported catalyst for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the formula 6, R⁶¹ is methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or isobutyl; in the formula 7, D is aluminum, and R⁷¹ is methyl or isobutyl; or D is boron, and R⁷¹ is pentafluorophenyl; and in the formula 8, [L-H1]⁺ is a dimethylanilinium cation, [Z(A)₄]⁻ is [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻, and [L]⁺ is [(C₆H₅)₃C]⁺.
 6. The supported catalyst for olefin polymerization as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂, B₂O₃, CaO, ZnO, BaO, ThO₂, SiO₂—Al₂O₃, SiO₂—MgO, SiO₂—TiO₂, SiO₂—V₂O₅, SiO₂—CrO₂O₃, SiO₂—TiO₂—MgO, bauxite, zeolite, starch, or cyclodextrine.
 7. A method for preparing a polyolefin, comprising polymerizing at least one olefin-based monomer in the presence of the supported catalyst as claimed in claim
 1. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the olefin-based monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₂₀ α-olefin, C₁-C₂₀ diolefin, C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-olefin, and C₃-C₂₀ cyclo-diolefin.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the polyolefin has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000,000 to 10,000,000. 